Disconnection Problems with Westell 6100 Modem

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I connect to the Internet directly through a Westell 6100 DSL modem via an Ethernet hook up and recently it has been sporadically losing its connection. The only change I’ve made to my machine is a recent installation of Avast’s free consumer version antivirus software. Could this be affecting my modem’s ability to remain connected? Disconnection happen when I have to wait for a load screen while gaming on-line or if I’m going from one webpage to the next. I know the av software scans pages as they load and I thought it was maybe blocking my connection.

I have to keep going into the modem’s set up screen to reconnect often time required a reboot and reset of the modem.

I also run the following protection:
Zone Alarm (non Pro)
Windows Defender
The Cleaner Trojan TC Active

The ONLY recent (with last two months) change I’ve made is going from Avira’s Antivir to Avast’s AV. I noticed on the (very nice) interface that I have a lot of control over what and how the program scans.

Would changing one of these settings perhaps help with the problem?

Help - this is so annoying.

Thanks.

2

Well, in fact, avast is just an antivirus and cannot work as a firewall.

Indeed, avast is a very configurable software.

Are avast components allowed to connect?
Into the firewall settings, the following programs should be allowed to connect:

C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe (avast! Web Scanner)
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe (avast! e-Mail Scanner Service)
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\avast.setup (avast! Update executable). This is a temporary file that just appears when an update (check) is about to launch, and disappears again afterwards.

Don’t need rights to connect:
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe (avast! antivirus service)
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe (avast! Update Service)

3

I understand that Avast is only an av (which is why I run Zone Alarm as well). Zone Alarm has issued no alerts indicating any kind of conflict with Avast. My Avast installation was smooth and its operation likewise. I suspected it only because it is the only significant change I’ve made to my PC in recent weeks. I have yet to disable/unistall it to see if the problem goes away. I wanted to pick the brains of others to see if they might have heard of (or experienced) any connection related issues with Avast. Sometimes it’s as simple as changing a setting.

If the answer is a resounding “no”, then I’ll have to explore other avenues.

4

I’ll never say so as computer is not a deterministic science…
Did you try to uninstall avast and check if you lose connection?

I can only say that avast cannot connect (or dial) or disconnect (hang up)… it can’t do that…

Is there any other interesting info in the Windows Events or into avast logs?
Does you Westell 6100 DSL modem allow logging?

5

I’m ashamed to say I have not tried disabling or uninstalling Avast to see if the disconnection continues to occur. The problem is on my home computer and occurred this morning before work. I did not have time to run more options so my post may be a bit premature.

How do I check Window Events?

I’m not sure if my modem allows for logging (in that I’m not sure I understand what you mean by “logging”).

6

Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Events

Logging is making log files.
Some modems store their log into C:\Windows folder.
Click here and Google could help.

7

Ah - actually I belive there is a logging function. I access the modem’s set up options by entering its IP in my browser. I’m pretty sure one of the options on the drop down menus was viewing logs. I will try that when I get home. Thank you for your help.